Georgia's Zell Miller Scholarship Program Overview

Overview


Georgia's Zell Miller Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides money to assist students with their educational costs of attending college in Georgia.

Eligibility


To receive Zell Miller Scholarship funding, students must:

  1. Meet one of the following academic requirements:
    • Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school as the Valedictorian or the Salutatorian. Click here for more information.
    • Graduate from an eligible high school with a minimum 3.7 grade point average combined with a minimum score of 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT test or a 26 composite score on the ACT test in a single test administration. Click here for more information.
    • Complete a HOPE eligible home study program with a 3.7 grade point average combined with a minimum score of 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT test or a 26 composite score on the ACT test in a single test administration. Click here for more information.
    • Graduate from an ineligible high school or complete an ineligible home study program with a minimum score of 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT test or a 26 composite score on the ACT test in a single test administration., and then earn a 3.3 grade point average on 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college degree-level coursework taken after high school graduation or home study completion. This option allows for payment of the first 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours after they are taken. Click here for more information.
    • Have first enrolled in an eligible post-secondary institution in 2007 or later, as a freshman, meeting one of the academic qualifications listed above and having earned a 3.3 cumulative grade point average at the most recent HOPE Scholarship checkpoint. Click here for more information.
  2. Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible public or private college or university or technical college in Georgia. View a list of HOPE eligible colleges and universities PDF opens to new window.
  3. Meet HOPE's Georgia residency requirements.
  4. Meet HOPE's U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements.
  5. Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements.
  6. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990. A student may be ineligible for Zell Miller Scholarship payment if he or she has been convicted for committing certain felony offenses involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs.
  7. Not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program.
  8. Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college.

Award Amounts


The money provided to Zell Miller Scholars varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending and your specific enrollment. You can view the Zell Miller Scholarship Award Rates here PDF opens to new window.

Public Institutions

Students attending public colleges or universities receive an award for the following:

  • Current academic year standard undergraduate tuition for number of hours enrolled whether full time or part time

Private Institutions

Students attending private colleges or universities receive the following:

  • Full-time students: $2,000 per semester, $1,333 per quarter
  • Half-time students: $1,000 per semester, $666 per quarter

Award Limits


A college degree-seeking student is ineligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship if the student has:

  • Received payment from any combination of HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel Program funds (through Spring term 2011) totaling 127 semester (190 quarter) hours of credit; or
  • Attempted 127 semester (190 quarter) hours of college degree credit, regardless of whether or not Zell Miller funds were received while attempting the hours; or
  • Has earned a baccalaureate (four-year) college degree, regardless of whether or not Zell Miller funds were received while earning the degree.
  • Graduated from high school more than seven years ago and did not receive a HOPE Scholarship payment prior to Summer term 2011.

Application Procedure


Applying for the Zell Miller Scholarship is easy, but you should always check with the college you are going to attend to make sure you are completing the applications they require. Students have three options for applying for the Zell Miller Scholarship.

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) By using your GAcollege411 account and accessing the FAFSA application from GAcollege411, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete this form. Proceed to the FAFSA.
  • Electronic application, click here.
  • Printable paper application, click here PDF opens to new window.

Application Deadline


While you have until the last day of classes or exams to submit your application in order to receive Zell Miller funds for that semester or quarter, we highly recommend submitting your HOPE application as early as possible. The earlier you apply, the earlier the funds are disbursed to your school and credited to your account.

Where to Go for Help


If you need help filling out an application or have other questions relating to the Zell Miller Scholarship, we suggest contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, talking with your high school counselor, or contacting the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

To find contact details for the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, find your school through the Search or via this list of Georgia colleges and universities.

You can contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) by:

E-mail:
gacollege411@gsfc.org

Telephone:
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-505-GSFC (4732)
In Metro Atlanta: (770) 724-9000
A representative is available Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other Information


Full details about the Zell Miller Scholarship guidelines, policies, and procedures can be found in the Zell Miller Scholarship Program at Public and Private Institutions Regulations Link opens to new window document maintained by the GSFC.

Administrative Reviews and Exceptions


Students may request an Administrative Review of a Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility determination or status or, in certain situations, students may request an Exception. For more details, please click here.



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